THE SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group (JRG) has reacted to the Scottish Government's decision to delay plans for further fan pilot events across Scottish football.

The JRG have released a statement, detailing the catastrophic implications the decision could have on clubs in Scottish football who are heavily reliant on cash coming from tickets.

The group pointed out that Scottish football is heavily reliant on revenue from matches, with 43% of all revenue generated via gate receipts.

And they also revealed the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, has written to the UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society to request urgent financial support for sport's recovery.

Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President and chair of the JRG, said: “We understand the challenges and decisions facing the Scottish Government and society as a whole and Scottish football will continue to play its part in helping the country overcome the pandemic.

“It is also incumbent on us to safeguard the futures of our football clubs, whilst at the same time respecting and adhering to public health guidelines. We welcome the correspondence from Scottish Government to the UK Minister for Sport and Civil Society and hope for a positive outcome for the national game and Scottish sport as whole.”

Neil Doncaster, CEO of the SPFL, commented: “We are engaging with the Scottish Government to underline the existential threat to many of our clubs, and to the huge community, economic and sporting benefits they deliver, if this grave situation continues without meaningful public financial support. We therefore welcome the intervention of the Scottish Government in seeking urgent discussions with the UK Government about a package of financial recovery for Scottish sport.”